Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hey guys, I posted all these pics on Facebook, but wanted to put them here as well, for those that don't FB. :-)

We went out to the national forest to harvest our Christmas tree this last weekend. It's one of my favorite field trips, because we usually get to play in the snow. I've been wanting to go since Thanksgiving weekend, and this was the first weekend that the weather cooperated with my husbands schedule. So here's how it went down...

Ron was out in the shop turning down rod handles (making custom fishing rods for Christmas presents) until about 2:00 p.m.. He finally came in to warm up. While sitting at the table drinking cocoa he pulled out his cell and called our daughter. She was shopping. He asked her if she & her husband wanted to go with us. They weren't having a tree this year, as they were moving. They were supposed to move this weekend but the house wasn't ready yet. The two of them discussed when it would best fit into their schedule, then she rang off to see what her husband thought about it. They rounded themselves up and arrived at our house at 3:00, or so. Well, they were quite fragrant from being out shopping but figured they'd take their own car, so no big deal. However, Ron wanted everyone to go in the same car, as its more fun, so there was a scramble to find clothing appropriate for tromping about in the snow. Alex (my daughter) is 7 months pregnant. I bought her a very comfortable dress, that would expand with her, to change into when she came over, but that's hardly conducive to outdoor winter activities. She was a very good sport about the wild outfit we came up with. GFETE though pics were off limits.

By 4:00 we all piled into the minivan (all wheel drive) and set off. The roads were clear and traffic was light so there wan't too much of an issue with keeping the windows defrosted. Because the road fumes from other vehicles come in with the outside air, you have to switch to the cabin recirc mode when there are other vehicles nearby, especially diesels. :-( We had a pretty good trip up, with some light chatting and catching up on the kids lives. I didn't even try to get them to sing Christmas carols. They won't. :-(

As we climbed into the mountains we passed through a fog bank and into the snow. By the time we got there it was full dark. This is a first, tree harvesting in the dark. It was very beautiful. The diffused moonlight glooming over the snow laden valley. The dark silhouettes of coniferous trees. The peace of wilderness with only the faint echoes of the highway, some distance away. :-) It was a good thing there was snow to refract the moonlight. The batteries on my car flashlight were completely dead.

We all piled out, and Rosie was thrilled! She actually dislikes riding in the car. But she loves seeing new places. She greeted the snowy landscape with enthusiasm. I gave her the release command and she took off running in big loping arcs. Out through the clearing she sprang, diving through drifts like a seal through the waves. The two legged members of our party lumbering far less gracefully, zigzagging from tree to tree. "What about this one?" I call, plowing t'word a 4' specimen, deeply flocked with snow. Ron waded over to give it a shake, humoring me. He and Alex like 9-12 footers (they don't have to decorate them). Predictably they both veto my choice. Rosie bounds over to stick her head in the tree to see what was so interesting, then dives away. Alex is pointing out humongous trees from the the snowed over track. Rosie & I are leaping (her) and tromping (me) through the meadow. I just find what could be the perfect tree, about 5', when I hear Ron and Alex behind me and to the west exclaim,

"This is it! This is the tree we're getting." So Rosie & I head back to the group. They've picked out a 7 footer.

Justin gets the honors and cuts down the tree, and Ron hauls it back. the two of them bind it to the roof of the car with bailing twine. Yeah, we're farmers. I spend the time snapping pics of Rosie, whenever she happens to be playing in the snow within flash range. :-) So here's some photos for you. O' when Ron brought it in the next evening we discovered the trunk had a huge wowee, like a C! That will teach us! LOL

Friday, December 7, 2012

It's been a while, and I apologize. I should have gotten back to you sooner. It has been very busy here, with my husbands birthday and then Thanksgiving. I've posted a few photos and events on FB, but haven't made the time to write a blog post. My fault. I'm sorry. :-}

I have been working on projects, both for the babies that both my kids & their spouses are expecting, and remodeling projects that I was forced to lay down all those years ago. I'm feeling so much better these days that I'm able to do more. Way more! And I'm taking advantage of it. GFETE

The first project I tackled was refinishing the kitchen floor before Thanksgiving. I posted pics on FB. :-) One project that has been driving me nuts for years was trimming the doors & windows in the library, the door to the bathroom my husband remodeled, the facing bedroom door, the entry closet & window and two outside access doors that he replaced. He never seemed to get around to the trim (I'd put duct tape over the transition, so no VOCs would transgress. It comes in all kinds of colors. GFETE), because he had so many other things to do. So, I decided I would give it a go. I priced out fluted oak trim on line, from a couple of different sources and put together a budget. I then discussed it with my husband. He decided he'd check with some of his local suppliers, in case they could do better, or at least come close (we like to support local small businesses, if we can.). They didn't even get back to us. So after waiting on them for 2 weeks I placed my order.

When my wood arrived, I started out slowly. I used non-toxic craft paint to stain it, and non-toxic clear gloss art sealer. ;-) It works! Ron set up the miter chop saw for me in a covered non-toxic part of the shop addition. oh boy! power tools!! LOL, I love power tools, and having access to the saw was lots of fun, and made the project go tons faster than mitering with a hand saw & box. I didn't get to use the portable air compressor and nailing gun, :-( as it had two switches that blew out. But thats o.k. I still hammer like a pro and manually driving and sinking finishing nails is easy. (Edit: I have to fess up! Immediately following making that statement I couldn't drive a nail worth beans, for about as week and a half! LOL That'll teach me for getting cocky!) I've done 6 doors so far. I had to order more rosettes. I hadn't decided on how I was going to do the window trim corners when I placed my first order.

In the mean time I'm still cleaning wool for the mattress for my RV. I finally found the perfect third color for my RV valance & curtains. I have all that material washed and pressed, and ready to go. I need to remember to have Ron bring in the staple gun from the shop.

When I get the wood trim finished, I'm moving on to tile baseboards! I'm even thinking about throwing a Christmas party this year... Hmmmmm :-) Anyway, I hope all of you are having as much fun living, and doing and accomplishing little things, as I am. God Bless! Have a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Hanukah!

About Me

In 2004 I was diagnosed with Chemical Sensitivity. It resulted from pesticide poisoning, a Toxic Injury. I lost about 98% of who I was. I've embarked on the journey of "Rebuilding me."
You can find me on Facebook at "Toxed2loss"